Free tool
Move-In / Move-Out Condition Checklist
Record the condition of every room at move-in and move-out, then download a signed, dated PDF — the strongest evidence you can have if a security deposit deduction is ever disputed.
Room-by-room condition
Move-in report
10 areas recorded
Download a signed, dated PDF to keep on file alongside photos.
A signed move-in checklist is the single strongest piece of evidence in a deposit dispute — it proves what condition the unit was in before the tenant moved in.
Why a move-in checklist protects both sides
Most security deposit disputes come down to one question: was this damage already there when the tenant moved in? A checklist signed by both landlord and tenant at move-in — ideally backed by photos — settles that question before it becomes an argument.
Run the same checklist again at move-out and compare it directly against the move-in copy. Anything marked "Good" at move-in but "Poor" at move-out is a legitimate, well-documented basis for a deduction — pair it with our itemized deduction letter generator and security deposit calculator to finish the paperwork.
Landlord Tools provides self-help templates and general information, not legal advice, and is not a law firm. Using this tool does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not guarantee any outcome. Landlord-tenant rules vary by state and locality and change over time — confirm your current requirements with the applicable statute or a licensed attorney before relying on any result.